Sydney - A parachutist seriously injured when a 268-metre jump from the top of an Australian waterfall went wrong at the weekend may be charged, Australian police said Monday.

The 32-year-old jumper broke his pelvis and a leg and suffered internal injuries at Wallaman Falls, near Townsville, on Sunday.

Constable Scott Rayner said a prosecution would deter jumping at the popular tourist spot, where parachute jumping is illegal.

Two friends who were with the injured man said they saw his parachute fail to open properly. They jumped themselves and gave their injured colleague first aid before paramedics arrived. They may also face charges.

"It's my understanding that he fell into water," Rayner told Australia's AAP news agency. "The witnesses reckon he managed to paddle to the shore but wasn't able to get out of the water." (dpa)